The Antique Display Cabinet Checklist: What to Inspect Before You Buy

Inspect glazing, shelves, locks, stability, lining and restoration before buying an antique display cabinet.

Before viewing

Obtain exact dimensions, a written condition report and photographs of the front, sides, back, underside, interior, joints, locks and defects. Ask what is original, replaced, restored or adapted. Measure the delivery route as carefully as the object.

Construction and completeness

Check whether top, base, cornice, doors, drawers, shelves and fittings were conceived together. Compare timber, oxidation, tool marks and unused holes. Test doors and drawers gently while the piece is level; binding can reflect distortion rather than a simple need for wax.

Surface and repairs

Use raking light to reveal filled losses, reveneering, sanding and sprayed coatings. Honest restoration may be acceptable, but its extent and quality must match the price. Fresh insect debris, moving joints, lifting veneer, cracked glazing and unsafe shelves require estimates before purchase.

Evidence and decision

Treat maker claims, dates and provenance as propositions requiring documents and comparable museum examples. Record the seller's statements on the invoice. Budget transport, installation and conservation, then decide whether identity, condition and intended use remain coherent.

Sources

• Victoria and Albert Museum collections
• Metropolitan Museum of Art collection catalogue
• CINOA due-diligence guidance